Protein

beans, chickpeas, lentils and soya products, and foods made from them, such as hummus, tofu and soya mince

seeds and nuts – offer these ground or as a smooth butter for children under 5 years to reduce the risk of choking

Peanuts, nuts and allergies

If your child already has a diagnosed food allergy, or there's a history of allergies in their immediate family (including asthma, eczema or hayfever), talk to your health visitor or GP before offering them foods containing peanuts or nuts for the first time.

Is your child getting enough calories?

Young children need a good variety of foods to provide the energy (calories) and nutrients they need to grow and develop.

A vegetarian or vegan diet can be high in fibre. This can mean your child feels full up before they have taken in enough calories and nutrients.

When it comes to starchy foods, in addition to the higher fibre wholegrain and wholemeal versions, your child should have some lower fibre foods, such as white bread and rice, until they're 5 years old.

If you're concerned your child is not getting enough energy, offer them higher calorie foods, such as hummus, smooth nut and seed butters or full-fat yoghurt (dairy or dairy alternatives), and use vegetable oils or vegan fat spreads in cooking.

Vitamins for children

The Department of Health recommends that all children aged 6 months to 5 years are given vitamin supplements containing vitamins A, C and D every day.

It's also recommended that babies who are being breastfed are given a daily vitamin D supplement from birth, whether or not you're taking a supplement containing vitamin D yourself.

Babies who are having more than 500ml (about a pint) of infant formula a day do not need vitamin supplements because formula is fortified with nutrients.

Vitamin D2 is suitable for babies and children who have a vegan diet, and you can also get supplements containing vitamin D3 that comes from lichen.

Your health visitor can give you advice on vitamin drops for babies and young children.